The Places in Between

I enjoyed the book, for Stewart's eye to detail and his ability to convey so well the challenges facing the people of Afghanistan. As someone who has worked occasionally in Afghanistan (and with much less insight than Stewart), I felt that he really captured the realities of Afghanistan in 2002 and it made me wonder how much the same region has changed today, if at all. Stewart has an impressive knowledge of Islamic history and culture and uses it well to provide understanding of the people and the book is worth reading just for that.

Other reviewers have commented on his prose, and it has a simpleness to it, but lacks real depth, it has a repetitive quality, not unlike the steps he took on his journey. The missing link is his reason for the journey. Of course there doesn't have to be reason, but compared to many other travel writers his lack of sharing about who he is, why he does what he does, means the prose takes you along as if watching a travel documentary, rather than making you feel as if you are there experiencing every step.

Excellent writing that leaves the reader wanting more (11/13 people found this helpful)

This is a good book. I wouldn't put it in my top ten, but it's left me thinking that Stewart's other book will make it to my top ten.

The problem isn't Stewart's writing by any means. He has an incredible ability to characterise people and places with minute but not superfluous detail. He feels and breathes where he visits with a passion that is apparent in every sentence. His writing style is educated, intellectual and involved without being academic. It is a good read.

The problem is the material. This wasn't a reconstructive journey, or one inspired by lust, death or politics. There is history - but one gets the impression Stewart wanted to immerse himself in Afghanistan before he found out the history. And the walk just doesn't give him enough time to immerse himself in any single place.

He has such a gift at reporting on people that giving most characters and places only a page or two scarcely does justice to the potential of this book. And then...well...the sequence of events in most towns appears to be the same: struggle to get accommodated, get questioned, avoid the sharks, be treated without deference.

Stewart does bring in culture - particularly with regards to the Hazara: but I wish this was more of a guide - not literally - but with a little more third person narrative about the people, a little more history than observation. This would have given the reader more to bite off at each interlude - a full education, and a sense of familiarity. Alternatively, a more pacey, less educated style might have brought the reader into the sense of danger without interrupting the tension to detail the tribal hierarchies of the region.

Alternating between an abbreviated history of the people and the tension of a walk through hostile territory didn't do it for me. If this had been any old book, I'd have just moved on to another one half way through: but I stuck with it and became frustrated because Stewart writes so well.

All this said, the book would be highly enjoyable to somebody who already understands Afghanistan and for whom the brief histories were a soothing stroke of the traveller's spine, an allusion to familiarity rather than their entire knowledge of Afghanistan.

This book describes a walk that I would love to have done. And as someone incapable of writing I am in no position to critique a book this good so harshly. I just wish he had given us something more. It's cheeky to ask - but a few minor additions would have gone a long way to easing the reader into relating to the places visited.

Stewart has the gift, and the walk had the potential. This should have been an amazing book but for the simple omissions of pictures of the journey, coloured route maps, coloured terrain and ethnic maps; pictures of the Baburs, and some standlone chapter introductions...

Nevertheless, I'm afraid to say I'd have to recommend you at least start the book and form your own opinion; because if you enjoy the writing of genuine adventurers, this is the best writing I've found this Millenium.

Informative and Entertaining (18/21 people found this helpful)

Rory Stewart layers his narrative in THE PLACES IN BETWEEN so that every event and impression has numerous interpretations, as well as a rich undercurrent of contradiction. Rory achieves this layering primarily through continual reference to three narrative presences.

First, there is Rory himself, an informed westerner familiar with Afghan culture, history, and religion, who is on what the Afghans view as an odd and dangerous quest to walk across their country. This presence is the vulnerable, but by no means helpless, European traveler.

Next, there is Babur, an unwanted semi-domesticated mastiff that becomes Rory's companion for most of his journey. Here, the relationship is the key, with Rory, the Westerner, developing an affectionate dependence on Babur, his dog. But in Afghanistan, such a dog is valued for its ability to fight and to make money for its wagering owner. It's more complicated than this. But, the presence of Babur enables Rory to explore the tension between his Western expectations and the gladiatorial expectations that have arisen in impoverished Afghanistan, which has been brutalized by 25 years of continuing warfare.

Finally, there is Babur, a king and warrior who fought with his army across Afghanistan in the early 1500s. This Babur left an elegant narrative poem describing his adventures as he passed through a succession of cultures, some wealthy, where there were generous social customs and a diversity of religions.

See how it works? At any time in the narrative, there is the informed and resourceful Rory, Babur the dog and shabby warrior, and Babur, the king, warrior, and cultural historian. Thanks to this technique, Rory Stewart always has lots to say as he makes his fascinating journey from Herat to Kabul.

Two quick final points:

First, the implicit question posed by this book is: Does our nation building in Afghanistan stand a chance? Based on Rory's narrative, I'd say there is no foundation in remote central Afghanistan for the creation of, in the words of the UN Assistance mission, "a centralized, broad-based, multi-ethnic government committed to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law." Instead, let's first try something practical, like re-supplying the country with sheep, which have been lost over 25 years of war or slaughtered by the Taliban.

Second, the lawless fragmentation and continual warfare in Afghanistan is a tragedy from multiple perspectives. But one is that this chaos has enabled the plunder of the country's archeological heritage. Everyone, read Rory's amazing chapters on the Minaret of Jam. You'll see why artifacts from lost civilizations in Central Asia are now available at auction in Paris.

THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR JOURNEY MR STEWART (13/13 people found this helpful)

"Someone in Kabul told me a crazy Scotsman walked from Herat to Kabul right after the fall of the Taliban"

Thanks for the book. For it was indeed a journey of great spirit and determination. Mr. Stewart was well prepared for this trip with vitamins and various medications he knew would be necessary to successfully complete this challenge; ibuprofen, antibiotics, just name it and he had it; sharing with the villagers he met on his way when they saw what he had and begged him.

Well written, well told. I was truly impressed with how hospitable the people of Afghanistan were; those whom he encountered and offered him rest and meals and at times water to wash with, at their various humble abodes where he was invited to stay for the night. Even through they understood little English, Mr. Stewart was able to communicate to them by speaking Persian. I love reading about anything in the Eastern and Asian side of the world, so I was with him all the way. I felt like I was alongside him as he climbed those steep slopes and when he walked on the flat valleys. I drank tea with Mr. Stewart from glass cups, ate stale bread with him and soup, and enjoyed the rest at the end of the day, sleeping on a carpet or just on the floor.

The attention given to him was enormous as he persevered onwards. My main concern was just before he got to Kabul when he had to travel through the deep powdery snow which was known to cause frostbite, making it necessary to amputate limbs for some in the past. I held my breath as he and his dog companion Babur made it out of the snow covered mountains, and alas into another bright day. God bless you Rory Stewart. I will soon be starting Prince of the Marshes, which sounds like another winner; but to those of you out there looking for a Christmas gift or other, buy The Places In Between first, for you won't be disappointed. An excellent gift, especially for travellers!!!
Reviewed by Heather Marshall Negahdar (SUGAR-CANE 25/11/06)

Astounding story of a journey that leaves more questions than answers (12/13 people found this helpful)

I read this book after reading "Occupational Hazards" by the same author.

Especially at the start of the narrative, I found myself wanting to know more about the author's walks across Iran and Pakistan.

Many of his journeys between villages seemed to be superhuman feats of endurance and I simply don't understand why he didn't die of hypothermia on many occasions.

Mr Stewart is obviously an exceptional man in many ways, but this does give rise to many more questions than his book answers:

What drove him to undertake this astounding walk?

Where did he learn so much about Muslim culture(s), mores and languages of the regions he passed through? He gives as an explanation that he "picked up" Farsi by listening to conversations in Iranian villages(!)

Bluntly, this sounds an unlikely full explanation and the fact that he felt it necessary to give this reason suggests that there is more to Mr Stewart than meets the eye.

There are many other, similar, questions that arise and few are answered over the course of the book.

This could well be deliberate.

As with his other book, I can only give the highest praise for this work, but there are many gaps and unanswered questions.

Finally, although he studiously attempts to avoid giving personal opinions (as opposed to insights), there are occasions when one feels that Mr Stewart has an agenda - although I suspect he would be dissapointed to think that a reader thinks this is the case.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anybody, whatever book you normally enjoy.

Rory Stewart

Reader Reviews:

The missing link? (0/0 people found this helpful)

Excellent writing that leaves the reader wanting more (11/13 people found this helpful)

Informative and Entertaining (18/21 people found this helpful)

THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR JOURNEY MR STEWART (13/13 people found this helpful)

Astounding story of a journey that leaves more questions than answers (12/13 people found this helpful)

Similar Products

Categories